
Community Had the Opportunity to Cater an Event

Working in a busy kitchen or dining with neighbors and friends, it seems everyone is omitting something from a chef’s signature dish or favorite recipes from the family recipe box. Every chef or home culinarian must know ingredient details to serve and satisfy the ever increasing approximate 20% of our population needing allergen attentions. One of those steps in grasping that knowledge is knowing the FDA’s (Food & Drug Administrations-www.fda.gov) 9 major allergens foods or food groups account for 90% of food allergies.

Thru this first quarter of 2022 we have adopted a bluezone lifestyle. We are focused on our long-term health, our touches into our community & where it all begins “the kitchen”. Yup as a life-long professional chef this really tapped my core on the shoulder & heart In late 2021 while waiting in the grocery check-out-line (I’m not certified in the self-check-out yet) staring at me was National Geographics BLUE ZONES. It was Sub-titled “EAT like the world’s longest -lived people; Make the healthy choices the easy choice”.

“Carbs” nickname for carbohydrates are biomolecules of carbon, hydrogen & oxygen atoms. Since we can’t get these atoms directly off the grocery store shelves, we need foods containing them. When eating fruits, vegetables, milk products, grains, legumes, and alcohol our body converts them to energy They become the sugars, starches, and fibers we ingest ……More on that in a little bit. It is generally agreed a low carb lifestyle is an excellent way to control our blood sugar levels, keep our weight down, and lower our risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

The glycemic index (GI) is a value given to foods to measure how they will increase blood sugar levels. Foods are ranked on a scale of 0-100. Pure glucose at 100 means the relative rise in blood sugar level two hours after eating that food. Here are the three GI ratings: Low: 55 or less… foods high in protein and fat (steak) have a low GI. Medium: 56–69… fruit has a medium GI High: 70 or above. Pastries & sweetened drinks are digested more quickly and typically have a high GI,

“For here or to go?” almost every time you order anything we are asked. Pre-Covid not as much, yet most certainly post Covid. We are mobile eating machines almost 24/7. On the train, a hike, in the car, in-front of the TV and or computer we perpetually snack. When ya think about all of the options given us, the good and the bad, we can easily explain our health and diet issues as a nation. We thought while many are saving water and minimizing greenhouse gases offering healthy snack options might help folks, including this writer, with some innovative options to consider for our daily munching.