National Seed Swap Day is a special event for gardening enthusiasts, celebrated on the last Saturday of January each year. This day is dedicated to the practice of seed swapping, which is both an ancient tradition and a practical way to share and preserve diverse plant species. Here's an overview of its history and traditions:
History
Origins of Seed Swapping: The practice of exchanging seeds predates recorded history and is rooted in agricultural communities worldwide. Traditionally, farmers and gardeners would swap seeds to diversify their crops, share local varieties, and preserve heirloom species.
Modern Revival: In recent decades, there's been a resurgence in seed swapping, partly as a response to the increasing commercialization and patenting of seeds by large corporations. This modern movement emphasizes the importance of biodiversity, community, and sustainable gardening practices.
Establishment of National Seed Swap Day: National Seed Swap Day was first organized in 2006 by Washington Gardener Magazine in Washington, D.C. The idea was to create a day where gardeners could come together to exchange seeds and stories, fostering a sense of community and sharing. Traditions and Practices
Seed Swap Events: Of course, the core tradition of National Seed Swap Day is the seed swap itself. These events can be small, local gatherings or larger, organized events. Gardeners of all levels of experience come together to exchange seeds they've saved from their own gardens.
Education and Learning: Many seed swap events also include educational components, such as workshops or talks on topics like seed-saving techniques, gardening tips, and preserving plant diversity.
Community Building: These events often serve as a meeting point for local gardening communities, encouraging networking, sharing of experiences, and building relationships among gardeners.
Promotion of Biodiversity: Seed swaps play a crucial role in promoting and preserving biodiversity. They allow rare, heirloom, or local varieties of plants to be shared and propagated, which might otherwise be lost.
Sustainability Focus: The event also emphasizes sustainable gardening practices. By exchanging seeds, gardeners reduce dependence on commercially purchased seeds, many of which are treated with chemicals or genetically modified.
Modern Relevance
In today's context, National Seed Swap Day has taken on additional significance. It's not just a day for gardeners to come together; it's a statement about the importance of preserving plant diversity, practicing sustainable gardening, and fostering community resilience. The day aligns with broader environmental and sustainability movements, highlighting the importance of maintaining our connection with nature and our role in preserving it.
This celebration resonates with people worldwide, extending beyond the United States, as the concept of seed swapping is universal in the gardening community.
Chocolate cake is a cake flavored with melted chocolate or cocoa powder. The history of chocolate cake goes back to 1764 when Dr. James Baker discovered how to make chocolate by grinding cocoa beans between two massive circular millstones. from Wikipedia
Double Chocolate Pound Cakes Slices, Sara Lee®
Allergen Statement: Contains wheat, eggs, milk, and soy
Ingredients: Sugar, enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), soybean oil, eggs, water, high fructose corn syrup, milk chocolate [sugar, cocoa butter, milk, chocolate liquor, soy lecithin, vanillin (artificial flavor)], corn syrup, skim milk, cocoa processed with alkali, modified corn starch, glycerin. Contains 2% or less of each of the following: caramel color, leavening (sodium aluminum phosphate, baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), corn starch, natural and artificial flavors, natural cocoa extract, mono- and diglycerides, salt, potassium sorbate (preservative), gums (xanthan, gellan), wheat starch, soy lecithin, soy flour.
Nutrition Information
The Double Chocolate Pound Cakes Slices made by Sara Lee® is not the best choice. It has far too many artificial ingredients and additives and lacks significant nutrients.
Per serving: 164 calories; 6 g fat ( 3 g sat, 0 g mono ); 35 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrates; 23 g added sugars; 3 g protein; 2 g fiber; 49 mg sodium; 92 mg potassium.
Peanut Brittle is a type of confection consisting of flat broken pieces of hard sugar candy embedded with peanuts.
A mixture of sugar and water is heated to the hard crack stage and to a temperature of approximately 300 °F (149 °C). Some recipes call for ingredients such as corn syrup and salt in the first step. Peanuts are mixed with the caramelized sugar. At this point spices, leavening agents, and often peanut butter or butter are added. The hot candy is poured out onto a flat surface for cooling, traditionally a granite or marble slab. The hot candy may be troweled to a uniform thickness. When the brittle cools, it is broken into pieces. - from Wikipedia
In a world brimming with diverse cultures and traditions, nothing quite encapsulates the essence of a place like its local cuisine. Among the many culinary delights, soups stand out as a universal comfort food, transcending borders and bringing the taste of culture to our tables. Each spoonful of these simmering concoctions tells a story – a tale of heritage, geography, and the unique blend of ingredients that define a region's palate.
Join us on a gastronomic adventure, where each sip is a discovery, and every bowl is a celebration of the world's vast and vibrant culinary heritage. Embark on a journey, one spoonful at a time, to discover the stories and secrets simmering within these global soups.
Gazpacho (Spain) is a refreshing, cold soup made from raw, blended vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, often enjoyed in
the summer.
Harira (Morocco) is a rich and hearty soup traditionally eaten during Ramadan. It is made with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and lamb and flavored with
a blend of fragrant spices.
Laksa (Malaysia and Singapore): A spicy noodle soup with a
distinctive coconut milk base, it comes in various forms, including curry laksa
and asam laksa, often served with chicken, prawn, or fish.
Minestrone (Italy): A thick Italian vegetable soup often
containing beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes, sometimes with
pasta or rice.
Tom Yum (Thailand): A hot and sour soup known for its
intense flavors, it typically includes shrimp (Tom Yum Goong), mushrooms,
tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.
Tortilla Soup (Mexico): A hearty, flavorful soup made with chicken broth, roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chilies and topped with crispy fried tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, and sour cream.
Caldo Verde (Portugal): A simple, comforting soup made with
thinly sliced kale, potatoes, and chorizo sausage, often served during
celebrations.
Phở (Vietnam): A Vietnamese soup known for its fragrant
broth, rice noodles, herbs, and usually beef (Phở Bò) or chicken (Phở Gà).
French Onion Soup (France): A rich and savory soup based on caramelized onions and beef stock, and typically served with a crouton and melted cheese on top.
Chupe de Mariscos (Peru): A creamy seafood soup from Peru,
loaded with various seafood like shrimp, crab, and fish, often enriched with
potatoes, corn, and a base of aji peppers and cilantro.
New England Clam Chowder (USA): A creamy, hearty soup from
the New England region, known for its chunks of clams, diced potatoes, onions,
and sometimes bacon in a milk or cream base.
Borscht (Russia/Ukraine): A sour soup common in Eastern
European countries, famous for its distinctive red color from beetroots,
usually served with sour cream, and can contain a variety of vegetables and
meat.
Ramen (Japan) is a popular Japanese soup consisting of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat- or fish-based broth flavored with soy sauce or miso and topped with ingredients like sliced pork, nori, and
scallions.
These soups not only offer a taste of their respective
cultures but also embody the diversity and richness of global culinary
traditions.
Nutrition Notes
Soup is a combination of foods with endless possibilities. It represents comfort, warmth, tradition, and nourishment. Soups can be an economical way of meeting nutritional needs. Leftovers are perfect when preparing soups.
Soups have been known to curb the appetite and slow the eating process. Studies show slower eaters are more likely to notice signs of fullness sooner and consume fewer calories. With the extra time, enjoy the flavor, aroma, and texture of the foods.
Soups can be prepared with various healthy ingredients and traditional favorites made healthier with some substitutions.
Foods you can substitute to make heart-healthy choices.
Instead of:
Try these heart-healthy suggestions:
whole milk or 2% milk
1% milk or skim milk
whipped cream
chilled evaporated skim milk, whipped
cheese (American, Cheddar, Swiss)
Cheeses with 5 or less grams of fat per ounce. Terms used: reduced-fat, low-fat, or fat-free. Reduced fat is easier to substitute when cooking.
creamed cottage cheese
nonfat or 1% fat cottage cheese, or farmers' cheese
cream cheese
light, fat-free products, or Neufchatel cheese
Mozzarella cheese
part-skim mozzarella cheese
Ricotta cheese
nonfat, lite, or part-skim
sour cream, regular
non-fat, light, or low-fat sour cream or plain yogurt.
butter
lower-calorie margarine in soft tubes, vegetable cooking sprays, or nonstick cookware.
margarine, regular
lower-calorie margarine in soft tubes, vegetable cooking sprays, or nonstick cookware.
mayonnaise, regular
reduced-fat, cholesterol-free, low-fat, or fat-free. If making a dip, you can substitute plain nonfat or low-fat yogurt. Reduce the amount required in the recipe.
salad dressing
reduced-fat, cholesterol-free, low-fat, or fat-free dressings or lemon juice, vinegar, or mustard. Reduce the amount required in the recipe.
one whole egg
equals 2 egg whites or 1/4 cup egg substitute
egg noodles
noodles made without egg yolk
condensed cream soup
99% fat-free condensed cream soup
salt
eliminate or reduce by 1/2; explore herbs and spices
gravy
gravies made with low sodium broth and thickened with flour/cornstarch
beef, pork, veal, lamb
choose lean cuts trimmed of all visible fat, or substitute with chicken or turkey without the skin.
Healthy Soup Additions 1. Instead of salt, add herbs and spices to enhance the flavor. Explore the many possible seasonings available. 2. Add fresh, frozen, or leftover vegetables (use fruits if making a cold soup) to increase fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid canned vegetables high in sodium. Read the label. A low-sodium food contains 140 mg or less per serving of sodium. 3. Increase fiber and protein by eating foods such as beans, lentils, brown rice, whole-grain pasta, barley, and bulgur. 4. Increase calcium and protein by using skim milk, evaporated skim milk, non-fat dry milk powder, or calcium-fortified soymilk. These low-fat ingredients can replace higher-fat alternatives like whole milk or cream. Canned and Dry Soup Mixes are known for their high sodium content. Read the label and check the serving size. Remember, a low-sodium food contains 140 mg or less per serving. Some companies within the food industry are making great strides in lowering the sodium content in their products. At Campbell, they have more than 100 products with a healthy level of sodium, more than 200 that are low in fat and saturated fat, more than 150 products that have 100 calories or less per serving, and more than 85 products certified by the American Heart Association. I was searching the Campbell archives when I came across a 1959 commercial. Campbell had the foresight to recognize the importance of nutrition over 50 years ago.
Campbell's Soup, 1959
Soup Tidbits Soup is a staple in almost every American home. After NBC's "Seinfeld" show introduced the "Soup Nazi" in the United States on November 2, 1995 - Soup became a fashionable food.
Deliciously warm, authentic Irish Coffee is made with whiskey, coffee, and heavy cream. The original Irish Coffee recipe was invented by a man named Joe Sheridan, a new restaurant owner in one of Europe’s biggest airports during the 1940s.
Ingredients 6 oz fresh-brewed, hot coffee 2 sugar cubes 1 oz whiskey 1/4 cup heavy whipped cream (for garnish)
The American Peanut Council proclaims peanut butter as one of America’s favorite foods. It is a good source of protein, niacin, and folate and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
Oats, a humble grain, have long been a staple in many diets around the world. Renowned for their health benefits and versatility, oats come in various forms, each with its unique texture, cooking time, and culinary uses.
Different Types of Oats and Serving Suggestions
Whole Oat Groats: These are the most unprocessed form of oats, resembling rice grains. They have a hard, chewy texture and require the longest cooking time. Use in salads or as a rice alternative.
Steel Cut/Irish Oats: These look like chopped-up grains, a bit like coarse breadcrumbs. They have a chewy, dense texture and provide a more rustic eating experience. Ideal for a hearty breakfast porridge.
Scottish Oats: They are more like a coarse meal, with a creamy and smooth texture when cooked. Perfect for a traditional, creamy oatmeal.
Rolled/Old-Fashioned Oats: These are flat and flaky, having been steamed and rolled. They're soft and cook quicker than steel-cut oats but retain a distinct texture. Versatile for baking, making granola, or as a breakfast cereal.
Quick Oats: These resemble rolled oats but are cut finer and rolled thinner, cooking even faster and offering a softer texture. Quick and convenient for a fast breakfast or for thickening soups and stews.
Instant Oats: The most processed, these oats are pre-cooked and dried, appearing as thin, soft flakes that cook in minutes. Best for an instant breakfast or as a quick thickener.
Oat Bran: This looks like fine, pale brown crumbs and is the outer husk of the oat grain, high in dietary fiber. This can be added to smoothies or yogurt or used in baking for added fiber.
Oat Flour: A fine, powdery flour that can be used in baking, offering a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Great for gluten-free baking, pancakes, and as a healthy flour substitute.
Benefits of Oats
Oats are highly regarded for their nutritional value and health benefits, making them a favored choice in many diets. Here are some of the key health benefits of oats:
Heart Health: Oats are known for their ability to lower cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (bad) cholesterol, without affecting HDL (good) cholesterol.
Blood Sugar Control: Oats have been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, making them particularly beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Weight Management: The soluble fiber in oats can help in weight management. It increases the feeling of fullness, reduces hunger, and thereby may help in reducing overall calorie intake.
Digestive Health: Oats are high in soluble and insoluble fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health. This fiber helps regulate bowel movements and is known to prevent constipation.
Gluten-Free: While oats are naturally gluten-free, they are sometimes processed in facilities that handle gluten-containing grains. Pure, uncontaminated oats are a safe and nutritious option for those on a gluten-free diet.
Nutrition
Oats are a nutritional powerhouse. They are high in soluble fiber and a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. Their low glycemic index makes them beneficial for weight management and for those with diabetes.
Conclusion
Oats are not just a breakfast staple; their various forms lend themselves to a multitude of culinary uses. From a morning porridge to a baking ingredient, oats offer both health benefits and delicious possibilities, making them a valuable addition to any diet.
Ensure accurate and cost-effective nutritional analysis and food nutrition facts labels for your recipes and menus utilizing an extensive research database. A great service for the Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, Recipe Websites and Blogs. Your readers will enjoy and benefit from the Nutrition information.
Squeeze the Rainbow: The Journey of
Fresh-Squeezed Juice from Nature to Juice.
A glass of fresh-squeezed juice is a great way to meet your fruit and vegetable needs. There are numerous combinations to create a variety of flavors that are packed with a lot of vitamins and minerals.
Note that not all juicers produce the same amount of liquid. Consider buying extra ingredients if your juicer produces a low output. To avoid pesticides and other chemicals, use organic fruits and vegetables and be sure to wash everything thoroughly. Some juicers heat juice slightly, so chill your ingredients before juicing them.
Carrot, Granny Smith, and Ginger Juice
yield: Makes about 7-1/2 cups, 1 serving (3/4 cup)
Special equipment: a juicer (see cooks' note, below)
Preparation Slice apples. Process enough slices in a juicer, skimming and discarding any foam, to measure 4 cups juice, then transfer the juice to a pitcher. Process enough carrots, skimming and discarding any foam, to measure 3 1/2 cups juice, then add to the pitcher with apple juice. Process ginger, then stir 2 1/2 tablespoons of ginger juice into a pitcher. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. Serve over ice, if desired.
Spa Juice
yield: Makes 1 (1-cup) serving
Calories (kcal) 90; Carbohydrates (g) 21; Fat (g) 0; Trans Fatty Acid (g) 0; Cholesterol (mg) 0; Vitamin A - IU (IU) 4988 (99.8%); Vitamin C (mg) 51 (84.6%); Iron (mg) 0.6 (3.2%); Sodium (mg) 67 (2.8%) In addition, the recipe contains Vitamin B1; B2; B6; Folate;
Calcium; Phosphorus; and Potassium
Editor's note: This juice is fruity but not overly sweet. It gets its green color from parsley and spinach, but neither ingredient overwhelms the flavors of the pineapple, grapefruit, and carrots. The recipe is part of a spa menu developed exclusively for Epicurious by Chris Miller, executive chef at Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri in Bali.
Use an electric juice extractor or heavy-duty juicer that can process stems, skin, and seeds.
Ingredients 5 ounces fresh pineapple (about 1 cup or 1/8 large pineapple), peeled, cored, cut into large chunks, and chilled
4 ounces pear (about 1 cup or 1/2 medium pear), unpeeled, cut into large chunks and chilled
2 cups (packed) spinach with stems (about 4 ounces), chilled
1 (2-ounce) bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley with stems, chilled
1/2 medium carrot, peeled and chilled
1/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (from 1/2 small grapefruit), chilled
Preparation
In juice extractor, process pineapple, pear, spinach, parsley, and carrot, skimming foam if necessary. Stir in grapefruit juice, chill if desired, and serve. The juice is best served immediately but will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two days.
In Memory of Jack LaLanne Jack LaLanne Sings His Theme Song
as I conclude this Blog on Juicers.
In this clip from the Power Juicer infomercial,
Jack LaLanne sings the closing song from his old TV show
as a duet with an old video of himself.
What does a healthy weight really mean? It's a question with no one-size-fits-all answer. Understanding your personal healthy weight is key to your well-being. The Office of Women's Health provides top questions and answers about weight, weight gain, and weight loss, shedding light on this often misunderstood topic.
A healthy weight is not just about the number on the scale; it's about finding a balance that supports your overall health and lifestyle. Factors like body composition, age, gender, and individual health conditions play a crucial role in determining what a healthy weight means for you. It's about feeling strong, energized, and comfortable in your own skin.
In our quest for this balance, the role of nutrition and physical activity cannot be overstated. A sustainable approach to eating and regular exercise are pillars of maintaining a healthy weight. But how do you navigate the overwhelming world of diets and workout trends? We'll break down the essentials, providing you with practical, science-backed advice to guide your choices in a later post.
But remember, your journey is your own. Consulting with healthcare professionals is crucial in setting and achieving your weight goals. Your doctor or dietitian can provide personalized guidance that aligns with your unique health needs and lifestyle preferences. It's not just about achieving a certain weight; it's about creating a healthy lifestyle that you can maintain and enjoy.
Unravel the complexities of what a healthy weight looks like, tailored just for you. It's not just about numbers on a scale; it's about your overall health and happiness.
When I am planning to start a new food plan and exercise regime, I ask myself the following questions. By the way, my planning is constantly changing.
1. How much food can I live on? Can I eat like this for life? 2. Planning activities are the same questions. How much time can you devote to exercise? Name activities you enjoy and include them in your day. It can be simple chair exercises in your home or walking, swimming, and weight training. What do you love?
There are tools developed to determine if you are at a healthy weight. However, it is not exact, and other measures may be necessary.
You can use the body mass index (BMI) to find out whether your weight is in a healthy or unhealthy range.
BMI is a tool to estimate body fat. Find your BMI by typing your height and weight into this BMI calculatorfrom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight.
Women with a BMI of 30 or more have obesity.
BMI gives you a good idea of how healthy your weight is. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. BMI is less accurate in some people than in others. For example, if you are very muscular, you may be healthy even if your BMI is above 25. This is because muscle weighs more than fat.
Another way to figure out if you have a healthy weight is to measure your waist circumference (the distance around your waist). Researchers and doctors have agreed that women with a waist circumference larger than 35 inches are at higher risk for many health problems caused by overweight or obesity.
Isabel Laessig, a mom of four who operates the Family Foodie website, created the Sunday Supper movement. It aims at bringing families back together in the kitchen and around the dinner table. To celebrate, prepare, and eat a meal with loved ones.
In 2012, Laessig and eight other bloggers and their families celebrated the first virtual Sunday Supper. Sunday Supper Day falls on the second Sunday in January.
Family mealtime is an ageless tradition shared by people all around the world. Eating dinner together keeps the doors of communication open. It's a perfect time to show your children they are your priority. Studies have shown children who eat dinner with their families are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs and more likely to develop good eating habits.
Family Dinner
Segment from World Report, April 2009
A family study conducted by Brigham Young University quizzed more than 1500 IBM employees. The results show that families who spend time eating dinner together will encounter less conflict between family and work.
The BYU study appeared in issues of Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report, and Slate magazine. Dr. Jacob expressed the hope for society to value dinner time and not allow things to interrupt it.
In fact, a multi-national study cited by the marriage and family therapy program at the University of Minnesota and its director reports family mealtime has a more positive influence on emotional and intellectual development in children and teens than sports or additional time in school.
2 slices Rye Bread 1 tsp Mustard Lettuce leaf 2 slices Tomatoes 2 oz Pastrami
1/2 oz Swiss Cheese
Directions
1. Top one slice of Rye Bread with mustard, lettuce, tomato, pastrami, and Swiss cheese.
2. Top with the second slice of rye bread.
3. Heat in oven or toaster oven until Swiss cheese melts.
Notes The sandwich is high in saturated fat and sodium. Balance the rest of your day by choosing foods low in sodium and saturated fat. An educated consumer has the ability to make wise food choices.
Slow Cooker Bolognese
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This slow cooker bolognese is a hearty, flavorful recipe that’s perfect for
busy weekdays or cozy weekend dinners. We love it served over pasta,
lasagna, o...
Thirty8, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
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This summer, we spent 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur after visiting Thailand, we
came here for fun and then took a flight to Scotland. This is a city we
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