April/May - 2013
Almonds
Quotation… “The busy bee has no time for sorrow” …William Blake
Photo by Doug Cox
“It’s All About Caring”
Chef Christopher Daly
It’s been a difficult winter for everyone here in the northeast, right on the heels of “Sandy” which created incredible hardships for so many people to say the least. I especially hope my neighbors to the east in Long Island and south to New Jersey have a speedy arrival of much better weather and a much needed spring. Thinking of spring reminds me of a little place I helped to open several years ago called Aroma Kitchen and Wine Bar in The East Village where I wrote all of the menus daily and cooked seasonally oriented Italian cuisine. Spring was for calamari with the water not too cold and not too warm which was good for the calamari and our regionally available fish. I always sourced from local fisherman in Long Island and New Jersey. After a little cleaning, the catch was bright and clean with that hint of sea air as it was pulled from the Atlantic on a daily basis. I used to clean the calamari and fill it with an Almond and Shrimp stuffing with chopped parsley; a little garlic and a nice dose of red pepper flakes .We would bake those and serve them with a little lemon that I preserved for a few months; a slick of toasted almond oil and a bright green splash of parsley water.
That one simple dish started with a few terrific fishermen who cared deeply about their work, the seasons and the ocean from where the bounty was found, and a lot of care was also applied from the kitchen to the table. The whole thing was all about care. Care for the workers, care for the product, care for economy and ultimately for the environment which affects all of the above. To date, Seventy-Eight percent of Americans now believe our environment has undergone radical shifts because of climate change which ultimately has ruinous effects on the entire chain. The shifts are definitely affecting the Atlantic as well as ocean temperatures worldwide, and the recurrence of more storms like “Sandy� are going to be our new reality. So my question is simple with regards to our environment; if for no other reason than to support a few fishermen, along with your neighbor and his or her livelihood, when do you think one hundred percent of Americans will start to care about the environment?
www.Hip4Kids.org
Spring Snacks from Bonnie…
“Instead of a 100-calorie snack pack of cookies, try an individual pack of almonds. Just because something is portion-controlled doesn't make it a health food. I was thrilled when 100-calorie packs hit the shelves because I firmly believe that supersized portions are the main reason why we're not a slimmer nation”.
Next:
“These packs were rarely packed with nutritious foods and instead just included hard-to-pronounce ingredients. A pack of almonds, on the other hand, wears an ingredient list of one item: almonds. That's the way it should be—a simple, recognizable ingredient, naturally packed with protein, fiber, monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, calcium and lots of crunch. Basically, a clean label for clean eating”.
Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN, is the owner of BTD Nutrition Consultants, LLC, and she is the author of “Read It Before You Eat It”. As a renowned motivational speaker, author, media personality, and award-winning dietitian, she has found a way to communicate how to make sense of science. Her web site is www.betterthandieting.com
How About Some Health Benefits of Almonds:
Almonds reduce heart attack risk. Those who consume nuts five times a week have about a 50 percent reduction in risk of heart attack according to the Loma Linda School of Public Health. Almonds lower ‘bad’ cholesterol. Almonds added to the diet have a favorable effect on blood cholesterol levels, according to a clinical study by Dr. Gene Spiller, Director of the Health Research and Studies Center. Almonds protect artery walls from damage. It was found that the flavonoids in almond skins work in synergy with the vitamin E, thus reducing the risk of heart disease (Research at Tufts University) Next:
Almonds help build strong bones and teeth. The phosphorus in almonds helps make this possible. Almonds provide healthy fats and aid in weight loss: Although nuts are high in fat, frequent nut eaters are thinner on average than those who almost never consume nuts. (Data from the Nurses’ Health Study) Those who ate nuts at least two times per week were 31 percent less likely to gain weight than were those who never or seldom ate them in a study involving 8865 adults. Almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin after meals. Almonds help provide good brain function. Almonds contain riboflavin and L-carnitine, nutrients that boost brain activity and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Almonds nourish the nervous system. According to Ayurveda, almonds help increase high intellectual level and longevity. And Almonds alkalize the body. Almonds are the only nut and one of the few proteins that are alkaline forming. When your body is not alkaline enough, you risk osteoporosis, poor immune function, low energy and weight gain.
RECIPE‌Quick Cinnamon Almond Rice Pudding
There’s nothing more comforting than rice pudding for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Ingredients: 3/4 cup leftover cooked rice, (preferably basmati or jasmine) 3/4 cup almond milk 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup sliced almonds, roasted 1 teaspoon honey next:
Preparation: Combine rice, almond milk and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Turn heat to medium and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to mediumlow and simmer gently for 4 to 5 minutes, until milk is thicker and rice is a bit creamy. To serve, place in a bowl, top with almonds and drizzle with honey. Microwave instructions: Combine rice, milk and cinnamon in a microwave-safe serving bowl. Cook on full power for 1 minute, then stir and cook 1-2 more minutes, until milk is thicker and rice is a bit creamy. Top with almonds and drizzle with honey.
Recipe courtesy of the Almond Board of California
Kids’ Kitchen Korner With Chef Sal Yummy (Healthy) Foods!
Almond Brittle Crunch
½ Cup Coarsely Ground Almonds Soak and Dry Almonds; Place In Cuisinart and Coarsely Grind To Yield ½ Cup ½ Tsp. Almond Extract ½ Cup Maple Syrup ¼ Cup Flax Meal Dash ~~ Himalayan Sea Salt
Put all ingredients in food processor and blend until well mixed. 1. Spread very thin on a cookie sheet lined with tinfoil or parchment paper. 2. Place in oven at 350º until crisp (check repeatedly after one-half hour). 3. Cut into strips or break into large chunks.
For more of Chef Sal’s recipes, visit www.evolvewithflavor.com
The Turkey Burger? By Bob Bickell
Coming to a Burger King near you.
The “Healthy” Turkey Burger…
The Burger King folks must know something – they have some 13,000 restaurants in some eighty-six countries. They certainly know that more Americans are looking for more healthful alternatives, and the introduction of their Turkey Burger is not (for them) a terrible idea. Next:
A Burger King spokesperson had this to say... “It not only may appeal to those looking for a different type of burger or a more healthful alternative, but it also might build up the brand’s reputation as a place to find it.” “More and more Americans are eating turkey burgers, he said. This gives them something they’re at least accustomed to, and many people just aren’t going to try a veggie burger. There, you’re down to just vegetarians. This is a nice alternative.” He also noted that this whole new slate of menu items fits the trajectory Burger King has taken since last year’s introduction of an entirely new menu with smoothies, salads and premium chicken tenders.
New spring burgers include (from left) the Turkey Burger, the Veggie Burger and the Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger.
It’s from our friend, Chef David Haick. Support your local farmers, and your Local Independent Restaurants!
M R I E INDS B H T L E Y FU HEIR TUMM T G N I D IES E E F
G d nutrition is fundamental. Organic Valley Stringles® and milk are full of pasture-raised dairy goodness from our family farms. Give them all the good stuff they need — and none of the bad stuff they don’t — to be full and energized, readied to learn all the lessons of the day.
Organic Valley supports Joe Gurrera and Citarella in their effort to support autism research.
Joel Harper is a celebrity trainer with clients ranging from Dr. Oz to Olympic Medalists; to 10-year-old kids just learning to appreciate good health.
Problems are like washing machines, they twist, spin & knock us around, but in the end we come out cleaner, brighter & better than before!
Some PUN Fun! (Broken Pencils Are Pointless)
I tried to catch some fog. I mist. I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me. NEXT:
They told me I had Type A blood, but it was a Type O. I did a theatrical performance based on puns. It was a play on words. Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations. Energizer Bunny arrested. Charged with battery. What does a clock do when it’s hungry? It goes back four seconds. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A Thesaurus.
EAT HEALTHY and STAY HEALTHY!
www.Hip4Kids.org