Choice Clippings no. 3
Here is a collection of articles that I enjoyed. Hope you do, too!
These articles capture significant trends in everything from aging to home cooking. I have included free links to the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. If you can’t get to the full article, copy and paste the URL into your browser for direct access. If any of these links don’t work, feel free to reach out, and I'll find similar articles in the future.
AGING
Oldest living Japanese American, 110, shares her longevity tips and the 1 food she eats every day
When I read about someone who has made it to 110 years old, I can’t help but think how many momentous changes in society they have seen in their lifetime, including developments in food. Yoshiko Miwa is the oldest living Japanese American, and she likes many varieties of noodles. I like them too, but everything is in moderation in my kitchen!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oldest-living-japanese-american-110-shares-her-longevity-tips-and-the-1-food-she-eats-every-day/ar-BB1lY5er?ocid=winp2fptaskbarent&cvid=b00fbf3b86e74f3885b0acf6d9763f6e&ei=54
BEANS
Sorry, Kale. Beans are the Hot Health Star.
Beans are lauded for being inexpensive, accessible, and providing fiber. We always have a bunch in the kitchen and usually make them in the Instant Pot. We add vegetables and spices to the beans and usually come up with something good for the week.
CATALOGS
Williams Sonoma Catalog
What a great catalog! It’s a joy to peruse, and I like Stanley Tucci because he seems like the real deal when it comes to caring about food.
CHEMICALS
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are everywhere and could have many health impacts, researchers say
It’s scary to read that so many household products could be a cause of concern. I try hard to stick to natural products and wear plastic gloves when dealing with household cleaners. I hope it helps.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/29/health/endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-wellness?cid=ios_app
Why Red 3 is still in your candy
I don’t eat candy, but if I did, I’d be asking the same thing. According to this article, red 3 is no longer used in cosmetics and drugs but is still in food. There’s a link to a podcast you can listen to for more information on this topic.
https://www.vox.com/videos/381100/auto-draft
‘Peeps’ and other foods that will be impacted by California’s ban on certain food additives
And yet another article on food additives. Read the label and avoid the bad stuff.
CHICKEN
Are You Paying Too Much for Chicken?
If you buy chicken regularly, this is a good article to read. I found the section on premium birds very interesting as they named specific brands that are top-rated. There’s also a section on terminology on labels, including all-natural, free range, and pasture-raised, all words that can get confusing if you don’t know their nuances.
COOKING
AI Solves My Most Annoying Chore: Meal Planning for a Toddler
I have found AI to make suitable suggestions with food. What stood out to me about this article, though, was the second to last paragraph. The author’s son liked the almond-flour blueberry zucchini pancakes even though they had vegetables. That seemed like a major win right there. And it cuts to something I believe – behavior and taste go hand in hand. If it doesn’t taste good, you have a limited shot at changing the behavior of a picky eater. Taste matters, especially if you’re pushing healthy foods!
Yes, You Really Should Toss That Black Plastic Spatula
It drives me crazy to see someone using a plastic spatula with burnt edges in a hot frying pan. I didn’t need this article to tell me it wasn’t good—I could tell by seeing it. But this article is a great one on why those plastic spatulas, spoons, or labels should be retired.
DINNER PARTY
Of Course I Want to Know Who Else Is Coming to the Dinner Party!
Dinner parties have a range of etiquette rules. This article explores various dinner party behaviors and shares entertaining stories to keep you reading.
FAST FOOD
McDonald’s Is Bringing Chicken to the Big Mac
In this piece, the CEO of McDonald’s said the chicken sandwich has “a crunch.” While I’m sure the sandwich is tasty, I’m not big on fried food, so this wouldn’t work for me. I did appreciate it, though, that McDonald’s has a nutrition calculator. And that’s where the rubber always hits the road.
The sandwich has 26% protein, a good amount (the average daily recommended intake of protein is around 50 grams based on a 2,000-calorie diet). Still, it also has half the daily recommended sodium intake (the sandwich has 1,140 mg of sodium, about ½ a teaspoon). The ideal limit recommended by the American Heart Association is 2/3 a teaspoon, or 1500 mg, of salt.
This chicken sandwich contains about 5 grams of saturated fat per serving, about one-quarter of the Daily Value (DV) for saturated fat based on a 2,000-calorie diet. The FDA recommends limiting saturated fat to less than 20 grams a day.
By the way, I’ve never eaten Chick-fil-A either, though I’ve been told it’s very tasty like McDonald’s chicken sandwich must be. Food companies know how to create meals that appeal to our taste buds. This chicken sandwich could be a significant splurge on a special occasion, but I’d make chicken at home instead.
FLYING
A Day Inside Delta’s New Ultra-Exclusive Lounge
Here’s an article on Delta’s lounge. Lounges are improving their game on amenities and food – that’s good!
FOOD STORAGE
Chemicals linked to breast cancer leach into our foods, study finds
If we didn’t have enough to worry about buying what we believe are the best foods we can find and afford, packaging has become an issue. This piece dives into chemicals found in everything from plastic, paper, and cardboard, which can be possible carcinogens for breasts. This one is hard to get around. What I try to do, if possible, is remove the food from the packaging and put it in a glass container. Maybe it’s too late but I always feel better, at least some of the food is not in packaged plastic.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/24/health/breast-cancer-food-storage-chemicals?cid=ios_app
GRAINS
5 Nutritious Grains Experts Want You to Try
Since I’ve been toying with making breakfast cereal, this article on grains caught my eye. Now, I have even more ideas and a sense of what these grains are made of.
HEALTHY EATING
I’m all for ideas that make healthy eating easier. These two articles have a few quick tips for eating healthy.
Science offers ways to eat better
5 ways teens can get more fruits and vegetables in their diets
KITCHEN
A Family Retreat Nestled Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Yosemite
I was aiming for a Wolf stove but our gas line couldn’t handle the BTUs. Instead, we got a Bertazzoni stove, and I must say it’s a powerful stove top and oven indeed. We’re happy with it. This link takes you to a designer’s home in Yosemite, where Bertazzoni appliances take center stage in the kitchen.
https://il.bertazzoni.com/a-family-retreat-nestled-among-the-sierra-nevada-mountains-of-yosemite
LONGEVITY
Could Eating Less Help You Live Longer?
This article provides insights into the research on eating and longevity. Some studies show that calorie restriction and intermittent fasting are helpful regarding longevity, others don’t. I personally think calorie restriction and intermittent fasting are useful, but everyone has to make their own decision on those!
SPICES
These 10 Spice Blends Will Immediately Take Your Cooking to the Next Level
Spices enhance meals, and I love buying them, especially when traveling. I never know what interesting spice I will find on the go. This piece highlights 10 spices that seem worthy of finding and trying.
SUGAR
Sugar in the first 1,000 days after conception linked to health issues later in life, study says
Reducing sugar consumption should be a priority. It’s essential not to start kids on a track of having so much sugar that they ultimately prefer that over other foods.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/04/health/sugar-reduce-disease-diabetes-wellness?cid=ios_app