World Pistachio Day: A Global Chance to Celebrate the Wonderful Green Nut

Did you know the word pistachio comes from a mix of Persian and Latin?   Originating in western Asia, pistachios are one of the oldest flowering nut trees with evidence suggesting that humans were enjoying them as early as 7,000 B.C.  Pistachios were first planted in California in the 1930s and it took nearly 10 years of careful research and breeding before the California pistachio was finally perfected.  Today,California produces more than 550 million pounds of pistachios each year, making it a leading producer of pistachios worldwide.

Pistachios contain only 3-4 calories per nut – a reduced serving of 30 nuts adds up to about 100 calories. They also offer vital nutrients, including more than 30 different vitamins, minerals, and beneficial phytonutrients, making them a great guilt free snack.

Going Nuts for Pistachios Across the Globe  In China, the pistachio is known as the "happy nut" because it looks like its smiling.

Often given as a gift during the Chinese New Year, pistachios are a symbol of health, happiness and good fortune.  While China leads the world in total pistachio consumption at 200 million pounds per year, Israelhas the world's highest per capita consumption of pistachios as 85 percent of Israelis eat nuts and seeds at least once a month.

In India, pistachios are a major part of the population's diet and are used in a popular saffron pistachio drink.  During Diwali, the Hindu New Year, and family occasions like weddings, pistachios are gifted as a symbol of love and good wishes.  At one time, pistachios were considered a "hot food" and typically enjoyed during the cold winter months, but now the nut is enjoyed all year round.  In Australia, during the hot summer months, many cafes near the beaches serve creamy Australian yogurt topped with shaved pistachios, as a refreshing post-swim snack. 

Get a free Lemon Ice at Fazoli's

Rome is not only the capital of Italy, it's the largest city in Floyd County Georgia, a place in New York where a major Revolutionary War battle took place, and a small town in South Carolina near Myrtle Beach. In fact, Rome is the name of more than 8 cities located throughout the United States.  And there are numerous other places in America named after Italian cities and towns.  Name just one of them and you will receive a free Italian Lemon Ice from Fazoli's in flavors of the old country.

From July 18 through July 22, stop by any participating Fazoli's restaurant and provide the name of an American city with an Italian name, and you will receive a free Italian Lemon Ice.  This includes two new flavors, Pomegranate Passion Fruit and Orange Italian Cream.  The Lemon Ice giveaway is all part of Fazoli's Tour of Taste promotion, where the flavors of Rome, Tuscany, Campania, Naples and Sicily are being featured through five new entrees.  There is also a chance to win a trip for two to Italy and other great prizes included in Fazoli's Tour of Taste Sweepstakes, which can be entered by visiting participating restaurant locations.  Sweepstakes ends July 31, 2011.

Cathy Hull, chief marketing officer for Fazoli's, believes most people can identify at least one American city with an Italian name.   "Just off the top of my head Florence, Naples and Venice come to mind, but there are so many more cities in the United States with Italian names," said Hull.  "What's interesting is that each region of Italy brought different flavors to America as well.  We are highlighting these flavors with our Tour of Taste entrees, and you don't have to live in Rome to enjoy them."

An American family favorite for more than 20 years, Fazoli's is a leading QSR with an all new menu featuring freshly prepared Italian entrees, Submarinos® sandwiches and salads and a contemporary new restaurant design.  Founded in Lexington, Ky. in 1989, Sun Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's in 2006.

Let them eat cake

You don't have time to bake, or your baking skills are not quite what you'd like them to be, or the person you'd love to let enjoy some cake is miles away from you. Besides sending them a mix and some frosting in a box, what's an easier and even tastier way to let them eat cake? Send them mini-cakes at Sharis Berries and make their day a cake day. If you are looking for something bigger, they have that too and they have some amazing offerings, including red velvet ...

May was salad month ...

Saturday, May 28th. This Memorial Day weekend will see many backyard parties among friends and neighbors. In addition to grilled chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs, there will be baked beans and potato chips. In many households, these standard items will be joined by a salad. Most grocery stores now carry a wide variety of greens, where some years ago, the standard all across America was iceberg lettuce. In fact, this is National Salad Month. It's also National Vinegar Month, a key ingredient in many salad dressings. Americans eat an average of 17 pounds of lettuce, six pounds of celery, and 2-1/2 pounds of mushrooms each year.

Faygo Beverages releases new flavors and tastings

Faygo Beverages will give its 22,243 Facebook fans the opportunity to taste its refreshing lineup of nine new flavors beginning Memorial Day Weekend when the Faygo Flavor Team hits the streets.

The Faygo Flavor Team will make surprise appearances at various locations throughout Detroit startingSaturday, May 28 through Saturday, June 4 to give away free samples of the newest Ohana and Faygo flavors.  Each time the team arrives at its location, it will "Check In" utilizing the Facebook application to notify Facebook fans of their location. Fans and the general public who visit the team on location will be treated to full-size samples and Faygo paraphernalia while supplies last.

"Faygo means fun and our Flavor Team was created to take that fun to the streets," said Al Chittaro, executive vice president of Faygo Beverages.  "Our summer lineup of new flavors brings Faygo's total to 56 different sodas and noncarbonated beverages and truly means Faygo has something for every taste."

The popular non-carbonated Ohana flavors will be introduced in a new one liter size. Previously, the only beverages sold in the one liter size were tonics, club soda and sparkling waters.

The new Ohana and Faygo flavors are:

• Faygo Diet Peach – 20 & 24 oz. bottle
• Faygo Pineapple Watermelon – 20 & 24 oz. bottle
• Ohana Pink Lemonade – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Blueberry Lemonade – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Pineapple Orange – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Raspberry Iced Tea – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Peach Melon – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Peach Iced Tea – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Cherry Grapefruit – 1 liter bottle

Grape tomatoes recalled

Six L's of Immokalee, Fla. is voluntarily recalling a single lot of grape tomatoes, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The strain of Salmonella has not been determined and no illnesses have been reported.

The specific lot was packed on April 11 and was comprised of grape tomatoes that can be identified byCherry Berry lot code DW-H in either in clam shells or 20 lbs. cardboard containers. The product was distributed to North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia and Canada, and reached consumers through retail stores and restaurant distribution.

The contamination was detected through a random sample obtained by the USDA at a distributor in New York. The product is from a farm in Estero, Fla. which has since ceased production of that commodity.  

The recall does not include any other tomatoes or produce distributed by Six L's. Consumers who have purchased the specific lot of grape tomatoes mentioned above are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Six L's at 877-606-1821, ext. 3955, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Coast to Coast Toast to Earth Day set for April 20

The first-ever "Coast to Coast Toast to Earth Day" will take place on April 20, 2011. Co-hosted by Frei Brothers Reserve's Sonoma-based chief viticulturistJim Collins, and leading online wine community Snooth.com's New York-based editor Gregory dal Piaz, the virtual wine tasting will educate and celebrate those who enjoy high-quality wine and do their part to preserve natural resources.

"We believe better choices and better wine go hand-in-hand, today and for generations to come," says Collins.

This is the first time Snooth will feature a viticulturist in its monthly virtual wine tasting series.

Collins leads a team of farmers and works hand-in-hand with winemakers to practice sustainable farming and winemaking and to help realize exceptional quality and authentic flavors in the wine. Frei Brothers Reserve expresses the best of Sonoma County's sub-AVA's, including the Russian River Valley,Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley.

Hawaii lures foodies

This year, TasteHawaiiOnline.com wants travelers to journey to Hawaii to meet the local foodie community on Maui.

Local chefs, Chef Marc McDowell, Chef Beverly Gannon, Chef Ryan Luckey, Chef James McDonald and Chef Brian Etheridge, will share their passion for Hawaii's new farm-to-table movement through cooking demonstrations; food, wine and dessert tastings; lectures; panel discussions and 5-star gourmet dinners.

The "Invitation to Foodies" seminar is a 3-day culinary event that explores Hawaii's new eat local movement.  Attendees will gain knowledge that every foodie should know, personally and professionally, and meet local chefs, farmers and sommeliers.

This event benefits three Maui non-profits.  The non-profits are the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of Maui, Haku Baldwin Center and Ka Lima O Maui.

Chocolate for breakfast?

The top five food trends for 2011 have been picked by a panel of food experts at the 36^th Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, which ends today at Moscone Center. The show is the largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast, with 80,000 products on display from the U.S. and more than 35 countries.

The trends are:

• Chocolate for Breakfast: Tea, Belgian waffles, granola and hot chocolate on a stick.
• Foods for Healing: Ancient healing teas, Blackwater with 77 minerals, aloe and cucumber drinks, plus micro-batches of healthful beverages.
• New Noodles: Yam, kelp, farro and spelt.
• Heat with Flavor: Ghost peppers, yuzu-wasabi sauce and piquillo almond glop.
• Creative Chips: pinto bean, naan, peas, mung beans, kale and wild rice.

Other trends identified are retro foods, classic cocktails, wine-flavored foods, mini servings and cured meats.

The trendspotters are: Cindy Hatcher, Cooking Light; Tanya Henry, Marin Independent Journal; Nancy Hopkins, Better Homes & Gardens; Kara Nielsen, Center for Culinary Development; Amy Sherman,Blackboardeats.com; Margo True, Sunset Magazine; Tina Ujlaki, Food & Wine; and Joanne Weir, PBS television host.

The NASFT was established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today there are more than 2,900 members in the U.S. and abroad. The NASFT's website for consumers,www.foodspring.com provides an insider's look at specialty foods and the companies, entrepreneurs and artisans behind them. For information on the NASFT, go to www.specialtyfood.com. For information on the NASFT's Fancy Food Shows, go to www.fancyfoodshows.com. The Summer Fancy Food Show will take place July 10 – 12, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

Top 10 Food Trends for 2011

The Food Channel® (foodchannel.com) has released the much-anticipated "Top Ten Food Trends for 2011." By partnering with CultureWaves™ (www.culturewav.es), Mintel International and International Food Futurists®, The Food Channel has been able to identify the most significant food trends that will drive how people eat throughout 2011, from buying to cooking to consuming.

"The new economy has created a boldness and willingness to change how we work, how we cook and how we eat. All of our 2011 trends reflect that in some way," said Kay Logsdon, editor of The Food Channel. "One example is Baby Boomers wanting to age well. Trend #10 explains they are eating for better sex, more energy and the ability to work longer."

For 23 years, The Food Channel has uncovered food trends ahead of the curve. "The insights are fun for consumers, and give those who make their living from food a competitive edge when it comes to what drives their consumers' choices," added Logsdon.

The Food Channel Top 10 Trends for 2011

1. The Canning Comeback – "Putting Up" is gaining popularity for both economy and health.
2. Men in Aprons – Layoffs have led to more men cooking.
3. Local Somewhere – We care about hand-tended no matter where it's grown.
4. Don't Ask, Don't Tell – We're tired of being told what we can eat.
5. Appetite for Food Apps – Social media is our guide and our coupon source.
6. Small is the New Big Business – Corporations are thinking like small businesses.
7. Fresh Every Day – Rooftop gardens are just part of this trend.
8. Chefs in Schools – Better flavor is possible in an institutional setting.
9. Discomfort Foods – Change makes us comfortable with more change.
10. Eating for Sex and Other Things – We are working longer, and want all the gusto.

Read the complete Top 10 Food Trends for 2011 at www.foodchannel.com.

Also look for the Top Ten Foods to Watch in 2011. They include sausage, moonshine, grits, fin fish and the latest in antioxidant-heavy fruit.

Prevent weight gain by eating healthy

Before you end up having to search for diet pills that work, the easiest way to prevent needing to lose weight is to not gain unneeded weight. Recently Congress has focused on this issue, an example, this statement from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi:

"Today, the House took action to tackle the twin challenges of childhood hunger and childhood obesity. Addressing childhood nutrition is a moral issue. It's about our future, our health, and our well-being as a nation. But it is also a matter of our competitiveness and our national security.

"Our future prosperity depends on having a highly-educated, skilled workforce that is ready to compete and get the job done. Yet far too many children in our country are held back by hunger from reaching their full potential. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a critical step forward in correcting this injustice and giving all of our youth a healthy choice and a fair shot at a better future. And this landmark legislation brings some common sense back to our school cafeterias and snack machines – and empowers parents to fight the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.

"I applaud my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who voted for this legislation, and I thank the First Lady, Michelle Obama, for shining a bright light on the need to get our students moving and make America's children healthier."

Sign up to get a free Bob Evans breakfast...

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers, Good Morning America and mommy bloggers across the country agree that signing up for restaurant e-clubs are a smart and simple way to save money. Bob Evans BEmail is doing its part to help guests continue to do so by offering a buy-one-get-one FREE breakfast to every new registrant.

Guests can easily sign up for BEmail on the Bob Evans Facebook page or by visiting www.BobEvans.com. Every new registrant will instantly receive their BOGO breakfast coupon, but the deals don't stop there. Exclusive offers and deep discounts such as FREE hotcakes, FREE Peach Iced Tea, even Bob Evans grocery product coupons are delivered monthly (and sometimes, even more frequently) direct to the BEmail subscriber's inbox.

Child Nutrition Legislation supported by Nemours

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nemours endorses the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and urges Congress to pass this Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation without delay. This bill marks a significant advancement in the field of childhood obesity by providing children ample opportunities to develop healthy nutrition, physical activity and screen time habits that will last a lifetime.

As a leader in the fight against childhood obesity, Nemours, a nationally recognized child health system, recognizes the value of working in all the places where kids live, learn and play including child care, school, primary care and in the community, to help children grow up healthy.

Candied Bacon?

I am a huge fan of bacon, but I admit I had never heard of candied bacon until I came across this wikihow on how to make it. It sounds as it is described, strange...but it also sounds tempting...

Enough to make me want to buy some bacon tomorrow and try it...

And there is video!

Advance reported in peanut allergy therapy

I know a few people who have allergies to peanuts, I never realized how many products out there contain peanuts until I was shopping for treat items for one of my children's class parties a few years ago and knew one of their classmates had a severe allergy. Now according to CNN there is an advance in research being promoted where the person is slowly desensitized to peanut products, similar to what is done with allergy shots.

If this works, it could change the lives of many of those impacted...

The Tuna trade...

I found this article to be really interesting, as a fan of high quality tuna, I'd noticed the price had increased, this Time article, Hunting for Tuna: The Environmental Peril Grows not only answers that but provides much more detail into the actual tuna industry. Part of:

For some species of tuna, the chase is becoming unsustainable. In September, the European Commission recommended that the E.U. support a temporary suspension of the global trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna, a majestic cousin of the yellowfin sold for tens of thousands of dollars a head for its coveted sashimi meat. At current fishing rates, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that Atlantic bluefin that spawn in the Mediterranean could disappear from those waters as early as 2012. But the recommended ban was shot down by E.U. member states including Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Spain, France and Italy — all countries with a stake in the trade. "The hunt is relentless," says Michael Sutton, vice president of the Center for the Future of the Oceans at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. "These are the wolves, grizzly bears, lions and tigers of the ocean. If you take the top predators out, the ecosystem begins to get out of balance." On land, when top predators like lions or wolves die off, lesser ones like baboons or coyotes flourish, throwing an entire food chain off. The same goes for oceans. Scientists believe stocks of southern bluefin around Australia have likely fallen over 90% since the 1950s and could continue to drop. Of the world's 19 non-bluefin commercial tuna stocks, half are now overfished or at risk of going that direction, according to the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), a partnership of canning companies, scientists and the WWF.

Using science to stop illegal caviar...

Wondering exactly how could science stop illegally harvested caviar? Well, it's all in what they feed the fish according to this New Scientist magazine article and it's really kind of interesting...(Even though I'm not a fan of caviar.)

Sven Wuertz at Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany, and his colleagues set out to investigate whether it would be possible to tag farmed caviar by feeding fish special diets.

They raised female Acipenser ruthenus sturgeons on a diet supplemented with three tracer chemicals: alpha-tocopherol, caprylic acid and capric acid. After 10, 60 and 90 days, Wuertz' team made tiny incisions in the fish's ovaries and measured the accumulation of the chemicals in the caviar.

While alpha-tocopherol and caprylic acid failed to accumulate, within 10 days of starting the experiment capric acid was detectable in both mature and maturing females. Levels of the tracer chemical increased constantly throughout the trial period.

The concentrations of capric acid in the caviar were too low to change its taste. Because of this, Wuertz believes his team has hit on a cheap and simple tool for labelling farmed caviar that could be used under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates international trade in caviar

.