Final Thoughts

Although the content of this class seemed overwhelming at the, beginning of the semester, however, it wasn't bad after all; as long as one had kept up with the work. In fact, I learned a great deal in 3070. For example, I become more comfortable reading and analyzing articles within or outside my field. I benefited a wealth of information from watching each individual class presentation. I particularly, think that blogging is an efficient way to use technology to stay up to date not just in one's own industry, but in world events and development as well. In addition, it is a great way for industry peers to stay connected and exchange ideas. I have learned that once one is over the technological intimidation, blogging can be a wonderful technological tool now and in the future. In spite of the many challenges I have encountered I enjoyed the Health Nut blog.
I also must say it wasn't all fun. I found myself saying a few unkind words while attempting to smash the computer, when I couldn't figure things out. I still can't go back and edit my blog after It has been posted. I have been forced to post things that I felt needed to be edited, and I hated that. I also hated blogging for grades with time constraint. Blogging needs somewhat of a relaxed state of mind, as well as time to better research the issue or issues at hand before expressing one’s thoughts or opinion. At this present time I don't have any extra time. However, I would love to start a blog at some point in the future, in order to express my passion for baking and exchange ideas with fellow bakers. Below is a link for a member’s only blog that I follow. Megan Garrelts is a Pastry Chef/co-owner of Kansa City's Bluestem who blogs at blogs@plateonline.com, it is titled; In my Kitchen. In one of her recent blog she toke "A New Look at Butter and Sugar" in baking. Over all, I would say that the blog has been a positive experience for me.

http://www.plateonline.com/MembersOnly/blog/details.aspx?topicID=5720&BlogId=24

Blogging

These past 12 weeks have gone by so fast. In these weeks we learned how to blog about articles, which made us actually read about things that are going on in our industry. I feel that blogging was a better way of making us write about something we read. It got us to use technology, which is always good, but for some it was not easy. After blogging 4 times, some are still having trouble posting a link. I did like the fact that we didn't waste paper but I did not like that sometimes I had trouble with the internet. There are both good and bad about using the internet to help teach. Blogging can be used in my career by posting schedules for my staff, whats going on within the company and other fun facts. I have learned that eating healthy in fine dining is not incredibly hard but it is difficult. I found this blogger and I feel I can relate to her. She is a stay at home mom, who just enjoys to cook. I love to cook for enjoyment but not as my career. I love the recipes shes posts.

http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/

Restaurateurs marrying taste, healthfulness

Restaurateurs marrying taste, healthfulness

Top Five Worst Food Fads

This article is about top five worst food fads. It icludes; Fusion, Fro-yo(sort of a green tea frozen yogurt), Atkins diet, no-transfat and Bacon. However, What I find intersting is the bacon. It got my attention not only for its wonderful flavor, but also for its ability to trigger a good fat belly laugh! Whether one is a fat belly or healthy eater, no one can denied the goodness of a golden crispy strip of pork. I don't think bacon itself is a food fad;in fact, it is here to stay. However, I believe that the many fashionable ways that bacon have been cooked and served are absolutely faddish. For example, Chocolate Bacon Icecream, Bacon Basket Weave(pork sauge wrapped up in bacon and smoke for 2hrs,a combination of 5,000 calories and 500 grams of fat) Now, how much more reckless can one get with his or her heart? Chocolate with bacon and pork sausage with bacon are definitely dangerous combination; One might as well stuff his or her arteries with shortning. That is why dihses like these are just fads, they creat buzz and quick revenue. Thank goodness, their popularities are short lived. Anyway, check out the link to the recipe for Bacon explosion. Clik on the Bacon Basket Weave. It looks dangerously delicious! Hey, life is short; live a little and remember moderation is the key.
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2009/09/worst_food_fads.php

Superfood for Women

This article talks about the top 15 super foods for women health. It states that if you mix and match these 15 foods you will get a breakfast that’s good for your heart, a dinner that fights cancer, a sweet treat that helps keep your tummy calm and mind sharp. Among showing all of these foods they also include why they are so good for women to consume. I think this is a great article for women of all ages to read because they younger a women starts to eat healthy the more benefit she will receive from doing it.

http://living.health.com/2009/12/20/americas-healthiest-superfoods-women/

Kansas latest state to bebate smoking ban

In this article Kansas State has proposed a law banning smoking at all public and enclosed work places. However,any bar,restaurant or private club which can afford to pay an annual of fee of $1.00 per square foot of space designated for smoking would be granted permission to do so.
Like some of clean air advocates I am also fuming over this hypocritical proposition by the state of Kansas, as well as other states that have partial ban. Smoking is a public health issue. By banning smoking all together,it is a good first step in creating a clean environment. And issuing smoking permit for a fee would definitely be counterproductive. I believe that no one should be able to buy their way into polluting our environment. For something as bad for our health as smoking, states should consider total ban on smoking and no designated area should be allowed.

http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=379194&utm

New Opportunities in a Nutrition-Focused Era

This is article discusses how opportunistic the nutrition industry is today. Nutrition is definitely a topic that people do not want to discuss, because it is a subject that people find it hard to keep track on. For example a nutritional meal is not always composed of exciting elements of a meal. Also people get so focused on the negative things of a meal such as sodium, trans fat, etc. When they hear that most of these elements are "bad" then people tend to avoid them. The article continues on with the idea of people getting so stuck on this idea of bad nutrition, so the best way to get over this hump is to follow people who know what nutrition is. For example many people in the restaurant business are taught this, so if restaurants begin to focus on a more nutritional menu, people will be less hesitant on what they eat. Basically if we start being proactive about the idea of nutrition instead of hesitant than as consumers, we will be less likely to have diseases or unhealthy lives.

http://www.nrn.com/landingPage.aspx?coll_id=726&menu_id=1580&globalMenuTab=-1

Taco Bell Diet?

This article is about how taco bell now has a diet menu. A women named Christine Dougherty said she lost 54 pounds just by eating Taco Bell's tacos, and burritos. She cut her daily calorie and fat intake by 500. Taco Bell is not the first fast food chain to promote healthy eating. McDonald's cut their super size, added salads and gave away pedometers. Subway showcases Jared for his weightloss, that all he ate was sandwiches that were 9 grams of fat. All in all fast food is bad for you even if they try to cut the fat and calories out of it.

I think that this is a fad because so many other fast food chains have tried to go healthy but its just not what they were born to do. Many people feel like they can go all out at a fast food chain and many don't even bother looking at the salad menus.

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/01/19/fighting-fat-with-fast-food-seriously.aspx

Children Exercise Decreases

This articles is about how this generation of children are not getting enough exercise. The rate of obesity has grown since 1998, when the study first started. They tested a bunch of children in 1998 to see how fast and how long they can run. They then did this study again in 2009 and saw a significant change. The children in 2009 were not able to run as quick or as far as the ones from 1998 did. They feel that this is occurring because children these days do not play outside, they are always inside playing video games instead of baseball.

I feel that not only is it the parents fault for not making their children play outside, it is their fault for how they are eating. When a child becomes overweight, it is the parents duty to make sure they get back on track with healthy eating and exercise.

http://www.naturalnews.com/028071_children_fitness.html

Children Exercise Decrease

This articles is about how this generation of children are not getting enough exercise. The rate of obesity has grown since 1998, when the study first started. They tested a bunch of children in 1998 to see how fast and how long they can run. They then did this study again in 2009 and saw a significant change. The children in 2009 were not able to run as quick or as far as the ones from 1998 did. They feel that this is occurring because children these days do not play outside, they are always inside playing video games instead of baseball.

I feel that not only is it the parents fault for not making their children play outside, it is their fault for how they are eating. When a child becomes overweight, it is the parents duty to make sure they get back on track with healthy eating and exercise.

http://www.naturalnews.com/028071_children_fitness.html

Junk Food vs. Healthy Nutrition For Children

This article is going back to last weeks class articles about child nutrition. The article discusses the lifestyle of a growing child with junk food in their life as opposed to a child with a healthier diet. 'Jane Rees, director of nutrition service/education in adolescent medicine and lecturer in pediatrics at the University of Washington schools of Medicine and Public Health' believes that because of the hectic lifestyles we have today with work, recreational activities, etc. we cannot have the time to have a nutritious meal every single time. Because of this parents let their children have a choice in what they eat. This may not be the best way of doing things. The article continues to say that parents need to be there for their children for advice and supervision. Many children are attracted to the colorful box of sugary cereal, when they should be going for the healthier box of cheerios or something similar. It also states that parents should incorporate their children in the shopping or cooking, and give them responsibilities such as maintaining an account of money. I agree with this article and feel that there are many good points. I feel that it does start with the parents, however after the parents give their children advice then they should let them be and see where it takes them. If more guidance is needed than provide it, but I don't think that "babying" children throughout their lives is the best means for a child's life. As far as maintaining an account with money, I feel that is a great idea and will definitely show a child full responsibilities in the future.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9522

Nutrition Information on Restaurant Menus

Hi Guys,
I know we are done with our presentation, however, I found this article from Healthy Dining Guide which I think could be helpful in better understanding new restaurant menus. With new rules and guidelines on nutrition labeling, numbers are showing up on restaurant menus. And Healthy Dining is helping diners to make sense of these numbers as well as new regulations in order to make better food choices. In an effort to fulfill nutritional guidelines and requirements it seems that fat, sugar, and calorie contents are represented by numbers. This article is a good tool in helping consumers to understand these numbers and what they represent. In addition, these number may be used by consumers to determine their caloric allowance and their dietary preference before they go out to restaurant. If anyone of you is interested in learning more about Healthy Dining this is good reading.


http://healthydining.qm4.net/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=2147491061

Fish, olive oil, nuts good for eyes too, more studies find

This article talks about having better eyes and clearer vision when you get older. It states that in order for this to happen you must include fish, olive oil, and nuts and steer clear of trans fatty foods. A study from Archives of Ophthalmology states that having these healthier fats will help reduce age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which deteriorates your retina. These healthier oils, known as omega-3 fatty acids, have been known to help you. However, John Paul SanGiovanni a scientist with the National Eye Institute has been researching more about the acids. AMD is the main cause of blindness in individuals 65 years and older. Another study stated that people who ate a spoonful of omega-3 would have a 31% less chance of having the disease. I believe having a healthier style of living will promote a longer and better life. Having foods that contain healthier fats and oils should be promoted all over restaurants, so that consumers can have a healthier dining experience.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/11/omega.fatty.acids.eyes/index.html

Vegetarian low protein diet could be key to long life

This article is about low protein diet and its effect on longevity. I is believed that a vegetarian low protein diet could the new longevity pill. Studies in Britain show that a low protein diet, particularly those found in fish, meat and nuts slow the aging process and extend life expectancy.

Before scientists believed that an "Ultra Low Calorie" (60% of normal) was the key to a long life. However, now British researcher believe that the low intake of a specific amino acid called Methionine is the answer to a longer life. This amino acid is essential in the production of proteins. And it is found largely in fish, meat, Brazil nuts and same seeds.

Dr. Matthew Piper from the Institute of Healthy Aging at the University College in London said that a vegetarian diet is the key. And also suggested a diet low in methionine.

While living longer sound s great, a diet low in proteins can be very challenging. And since proteins are the build blocks, a diet too low in proteins present serious implications leading to complications such as malnutrition and some cases even death.
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/health-fitness/vegetarian-low-protein-diet-could-be-key-to-long-life-1963148.html

NYC debuts sodium reduction plan

This article is about The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released their National Salt Reduction Initiative. This is help reduce the amount of salt intake while dining out. Many companies and restaurants use salt to add flavor, but sometimes they use too much. They hope to cut the levels of sodium in restaurant and prepackaged foods by 20 percent over the next five years. They have expanded to chain restaurants as well as independents, so everyone can join in the effort to help make Americans healthier. New York City board of health has been working on a project to help reduce the amount of salt for over a year again. They want to help reduce high blood pressure. "According to the health department, reformulating menu items to reflect a reduction in sodium will involve some additional cost, “but like other recipe changes or new product launches, it can be managed within businesses’ reformulation and relabeling cycles.”

Rick Sampson, president of the New York State Restaurant Association, is afraid that many restaurant will not join in the effort due to the cost. It is very expensive to use salt substitutes. If they do not get enough volunteers then the health department will have to make it mandatory to reduce the amount of sodium.

Hope you enjoy the article!


http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=377996&utm_source=MagnetMail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=knv775@students.jwu.edu&utm_content=NRN-News-NRNam-1-11-10&utm_campaign=Jan.%2011,%202010%20-%20Restaurants%20look%20for%20a%20place%20in%20customers%27%20diet%20plans#